imperio
“imperio” means “empire” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
empire
Also: realm
📝 In Action
El Imperio Romano duró casi mil años.
B1The Roman Empire lasted almost a thousand years.
La caída del imperio dejó un vacío de poder en la región.
B2The fall of the empire left a power vacuum in the region.
business empire
Also: conglomerate
📝 In Action
Construyó su imperio inmobiliario desde cero.
B2He built his real estate empire from scratch.
El imperio mediático de la familia controla varios periódicos.
C1The family’s media empire controls several newspapers.
dominion
Also: rule, sway
📝 In Action
El dictador ejerció su imperio con mano de hierro.
C1The dictator exercised his dominion with an iron fist.
La ley debe tener imperio sobre todos los ciudadanos.
C2The law must have authority over all citizens.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "imperio" in Spanish:
business empire→conglomerate→dominion→empire→realm→rule→sway→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: imperio
Question 1 of 2
¿Cuál es la mejor traducción de 'imperio' en la frase: 'El magnate controla un imperio de hoteles'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes directly from the Latin word *imperium*, which meant 'command,' 'rule,' or 'dominion.' It originally referred to the ultimate authority held by Roman magistrates and later became associated with the vast territories they controlled.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
¿Es 'imperio' lo mismo que 'reino'?
Not exactly. While both refer to a large territory ruled by a monarch, an 'imperio' (empire) generally implies a larger territory that controls many different peoples and nations, often led by an 'emperador' (emperor). A 'reino' (kingdom) is typically smaller and more homogenous.
How do I know if 'imperio' is referring to a business or a historical state?
Look at the surrounding words! If you see words like 'financiero' (financial), 'mediático' (media), or 'inmobiliario' (real estate), it refers to a business network. If you see names like 'Romano' or dates, it refers to a historical state.